Remember the Face, a new networking business, provides local talent with a realistic snapshot of what it takes to get discovered.

The name stems from a 2010 convention performance by Swansboro native Christina Miner, owner of the business.

Others complimented Christina Miner on her performance and said they looked forward to seeing where she would go next. She jokingly informed them to “remember the face.”

The experience, coupled with Miner’s passion for the performing arts led her to creating the networking business to help transform and develop others through hosting conventions and workshops of her own.

“I wanted to bring something new to the area,” said Miner, who currently resides in Virginiawith her husband, Richard, and children, Justus and Gabrielle. “There are not many opportunities to learn about the entertainment industry in the Jacksonville/Swansboro area. I wanted to bring my first workshop to Jacksonville, to give back to the area I was raised in.”

Remember the Face’s workshops offer the chance to interact and learn from industry professionals.

“Some of these big name workshops come through the area and they take your money and you leave without learning anything,” Miner said. “People get scammed for hundreds of dollars. We’re not that.”

Remember the Face’s first acting and singing workshop and seminar was hosted in Novemberat the USO in Jacksonville.

“The workshop was a chance for area performers to come to an intimate one-on-one, in-depth workshop,” said Miner whose goal was to reach out to attendees on a personal level.

“We wanted to help individuals who are looking for information on the entertainment industry and want to learn more about their craft,” she said. “It also gave the performers a chance to make a connection with someone in the community.”

The acting and singing workshop featured a three-person panel including Christopher Young, president and CEO of CMY Music and Management; Allyson Newcomb, a vocal and modeling coach; and Drew Matthews, an acting coach.

Each of the panelists spoke of their experiences in the entertainment industry, as well as provided feedback and critiques of performances and industry information.

All performers received feedback throughout the workshop as they participated in the interactive portions learning various acting, modeling, and vocal techniques. They also had the option of performing either a 30-second monologue, one-minute a cappella song or a one-minute dance routine and receive feedback on from the panelists.

“Training is a big deal,” said Christopher Young, stressing the importance of performers continuing to further their education in their craft and honing their talents. “You need to be fresh and on your toes in the entertainment industry. Your training may lead you to other workshops/seminars or opportunities.”

Page 2 of 2 - Vickie Gunter, from WakeForest, drove with her daughter Ramsey, 15, to the workshop in order to get some insight into the entertainment industry as her daughter had expressed interest in performing.

Ramsey who planned to perform a monologue for the coaches enjoyed the interactive sessions the workshop provided.

LaKeisha Reid, 25, of Jacksonvillesaid the event offered a lot to take in.

“All three of the coaches had a lot of good things to say” she said. “The coaches provided a lot of information that I didn’t know on modeling and acting. The improv acting was the most fun.”

Reid, who recently participated in the Jacksonville’s local version of American Idol, has dreams of entering the entertainment industry.

“Small towns like this one don’t have access to things like this, especially for that price,” she said. “All of the coaches had good information to share.”

Based off her positive experiences at this first workshop, Reid hopes Miner returns to the area to bring other performers the opportunity to learn more about their craft.

“I hope that there’s more and I hope that more people get involved in the next workshop,” she said. “If they’re really serious about going into the entertainment industry, even if it’s a passing thought, they should check out workshops like this one to see if they have a chance.”

More workshops are tentatively planned for 2013 and Miner invites those with questions or concerns to contact her prior to the event or to come out to the workshop the day of to meet her and get a feel for what they are getting.

“We brought it with this workshop, and all of the coaches are very open to returning,” said Miner. “I knew that if I could just reach out to one person attending the workshop, it would make it all worth it. We want to come back again and get even more people involved.”

For more information, visit Remember the Face online at rtfnetwork.com or facebook.com/RememberTheFace.